Namibia’s President Hage Geingob on Thursday said the government will begin to ease nationwide restrictions on movement from next Tuesday, allowing economic activity under strict monitoring, reported Reuters.
A televised speech, Geingob said the gradual lifting the lockdown will take place over four phases and this will allow the economy to function without compromising health of the public. The state of emergency, however, will continue for the next six months. Each phase would have an average observance period of 28 days, which is twice the length of the incubation period of the novel coronavirus.
“The lock down will remain the same until mid night on May 4. We will continue to implement the lifting of the lockdown gradually without compromising the social distancing regulations,” he said.
The Namibian President said the government will implement different levels of lifting the lock down. He also added that all the people will be required to wear mask in public areas and the sale of alcohol will continue to be prohibited throughout the country. The buying and selling of liquor with more than 3 per cent alcohol content will remain suspended. He said the situation would be favorable to deal with the abuse of alcohol in the country.
Namibians returning back to the will be allowed to re-enter subject to screening on entry and quarantine for 14 days, but borders will remain closed for non-Namibians.
Businesses and productive activities can reopen. Shopping malls, shops and restaurants will continue operating on a take-away basis.
He also acknowledged that the lockdown has not been easy on Namibians.
“We commend the perseverance of Namibians within this difficult period,” the Namibian president said.
Namibia currently has 8 active cases after 8 recoveries and no deaths were recorded. According to a Reuters tally, more than 3.21 million people have reportedly been infected by the novel coronavirus globally, and 227,864 have died so far.
